The inaugural Aerospace & Defence Training Show (ADTS) was officially opened today at Dubai’s Airport Expo by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai’s Department of Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman Dubai Airports,  Chairman & Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group.

In his opening address, Sheikh Ahmed commented: “The future of countries like the UAE and our neighbours depend heavily on our people being able to develop in their chosen careers. The aviation sector is one that is clearly identified as having the opportunities for Emiratis and other Gulf nationals to thrive, but to do so, it needs the industry in place and the training, to play an integral part in the development of that industry.

Alison Weller, Managing Director of F&E Aerospace, commented: “The emergence of new airlines in the region over the past decades and their subsequent success and growth have brought professional skills training to the fore, which is why we’re offering a platform for airlines and training providers to come together and plan the way forward for the industry in this region.”

The two-day conference will feature a number of topics, with airline representatives from Dragonair and Emirates discussing the influence of local culture on human factor training, and the Egyptian Aviation Academy and Saudi Aviation Flight Academy speaking about pilot training programmes.

International training institutes are exhibiting, including Canada’s CAE, Interfire-TFC from Finland and Aviation Australia.